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26 July 2021 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Supplied
Mr Temba Hlasho, newly appointed Executive Director of Student Affairs.

The value proposition of the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Student Affairs (DSA) is to create a socially just student-life experience that is conducive to student academic success, student engagement, and critical thinking.

Join the 2021 Virtual Student Affairs Week to learn more about UFS student support services

Student Affairs Week is an annual event that showcases the division’s wealth of student support departments – from Student Counselling and Development to Social Support to Student Governance – and many more useful support tools that students can make use of throughout their university careers. 

This initiative was established to improve an awareness and understanding of all Student Affairs divisions, and to also encourage participation in the programmes offered by the department. 

Student Affairs Week will run from 2 to 5 August 2021 on Blackboard, where students will be able to participate and engage according to their respective campuses. 
Students further stand a chance to win cash vouchers of up to R500 if they complete the Student Affairs quiz below.

UFS Bloemfontein Campus: Click here.
UFS Qwaqwa Campus: Click here.
UFS South Campus: Click here.

Message from the UFS Executive Director of Student Affairs 

According to the University of the Free State (UFS) Executive Director of Student Affairs, Temba Hlasho, a first-years’ experience at university is very critical for their academic journey. Hlasho encouraged students to be responsible, to continue to make themselves proud by embracing the privilege of being at university, and to continue to calibrate themselves into better persons for the South African society.

“To senior students, thank you for remaining loyal to the University of the Free State. Your perseverance and continued productive association with our institution will culminate into you becoming better future citizens,” Hlasho remarked. 
Hlasho further explained the division’s goal to ensure that students’ lived experiences on all three UFS campuses are equal and memorable through the diverse range of services and co-curricular activities offered. 

He further encouraged students to continue to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols in order to preserve their health and livelihood.

For more information on Student Affairs Week, contact Annelize Visagie visagiea@ufs.ac.za 

News Archive

Graduates encouraged to emulate the greats
2016-07-06

Description: z 2016 Winter grads Tags: z 2016 Winter grads

The University of the Free State Winter Graduation ceremonies
took place on 29 and 30 June 2016 on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Photo: Johan Roux

Trevor Manuel and Max du Preez among the recipients of honorary doctorates at UFS graduation 

Take up the challenge, make things happen, and emulate the greats. This was the overwhelming theme of messages from speakers to graduates at the Winter Graduation ceremonies of the University of the Free State (UFS).

According to Prof Joel Samoff, Professor in Africa Studies at Stanford University (USA), the graduands are the “new generation of analysts, researchers, and practitioners”, and should “assume the responsibility for keeping your senior colleagues on a productive path.” Prof Samoff, who received an honorary doctorate from the UFS on 30 June 2016, was the guest speaker at the afternoon graduation ceremony on 29 June 2016.

The UFS awarded a total of 482 Master’s and doctoral degrees on 30 June 2016 – 53 doctorates and 429 Master’s degrees – in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus. On 29 June 2016, diplomas were awarded in the School of Financial Planning Law, as well as certificates and diplomas in education on the South Campus.

“You are smarter
than you think.
Smarter than other
people think you
are, and smarter
than the country
thinks you are.”


Rise above South African standards


According to Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, South Africans have become use to a low standard of human decency, entertainment, and academics. He encouraged the graduates to rise above it.

“You are smarter than you think. Smarter than other people think you are, and smarter than the country thinks you are.”

Make impact like honorary doctorates


Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor, asked the recipients of honorary doctorates, Prof Samoff, Max du Preez, Trevor Manuel and Dr Reuel Jethro Khoza, and of the two Chancellor’s medals, Antony Osler and Marguerite van der Merwe (née Osler), to face the graduates at the morning ceremony on 30 June 2016. “I challenge you to look at them and to emulate them,” he said. “May it transform you to be like them in 10, 15 or 20 years.”

Dr Mokhele thanks Prof Jansen as leader


Dr Mokhele made special mention of Prof Jansen, who will step down as Vice-Chancellor and Rector on 31 August 2016, as these were his last UFS graduations. He thanked Prof Jansen for his major contribution to transformation at the UFS. “You are not only a Vice-Chancellor, but also a project leader,” Dr Mokhele said.

 

Click here to see a photo gallery of the graduations.

Click here to see a list of distinctions and special awards.

 

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